GM Podolchenko Evgeniy wins Sakthi Group 32nd Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament – Chennai
School boys Akash and Siddhant obtained International Master norms
Aakash G of Tamil Nadu
32nd edition of the Sakthi Group 32nd Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament – Chennai was organised by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at at Hotel Chennai Le Palace, Porur, Chennai from 13th to 19th October, 2025.
GM Podolchecnko Evgeniy of Belarus maintained his unbeaten run to clinch the title in the Sakthi Group 32nd Tamil Nadu IM Norm Circuit Chess Tournament – Chennai with 7 points out of possible nine rounds. In the final round, the grandmaster proved his mettle in netting a thematic win in the long drawn Rook and Pawn endgame against IM Otero Acosta, Diasmany. He lifted the glittering champion’s trophy and carried home the winners cash prize of Rs.44,500/-. In a two way tie for the runner up spot FM G.Akash with 6.5 points on account of his better S.B. points was adjudged second with a cash prize of Rs.26,700/. Siddhanth Poonja also with 6.5 points occupied the third place with a cash prize of Rs.17,800/-.
School boys G.Akash of Tamil Nadu and Siddhanth Pooja of Karnataka made this event memorable for them when they both pocketed an IM norm. While for G. Akash a ninth standard student of S.E.S. Matric. Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore this is his third and the final norm, it is the maiden norm for Siddhanth Poonja, an eighth standard student of Sindhi High School, Bengaluru. Assured of IM norms for both the youngsters settled for a short draw after reaching a three fold repetition position in the ninth and the final round of the Sakthi Group 32nd Tamil Nadu IM Norm Closed Circuit Chess Tournament – Chennai.
Mr. G.Bhaskaran, International Volley Ball Player was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function and other guests present on the dias were Mr. B Murugavel, Vice President, TNSCA and Mr. R. Srinivasan, Treasurer, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Mr. Paul Arokia Raj S, Tournament Coordinator of 32nd IM Norm and Mr. Ajesh Kumar, Chief Arbiter of the tournament.
Siddhanth Pooja of Karnataka
Final Ranking
| Rank | Title | Name | FED | Pts |
| 1 | GM | Podolchenko Evgeniy | BLR | 7 |
| 2 | FM | Aakash G | IND | 6½ |
| 3 | Siddhanth Poonja | IND | 6½ | |
| 4 | IM | Oblitas Carlomagno | PER | 4½ |
| 5 | FM | Jinan Jomon | IND | 4 |
| 6 | IM | Palencia Morales Wilson Guillermo | COL | 4 |
| 7 | FM | Ashwin Sairam | IND | 3½ |
| 8 | IM | Otero Acosta Diasmany | CUB | 3 |
| 9 | IM | Claverie Raul | ARG | 3 |
| 10 | FM | Mrithyunjay Mahadevan | IND | 3 |
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